Trace or tug buckle



No. 6I4,877. Patented Nov. 29, I898.

J. MEALEY. I

TRACE OR THE BUCKLE.

(Application filed Nov. 28, 1896.)

l7 Mama 71's ZZZ/aways UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHNSTON MEALEY, OF HOWARD LAKE, MINNESOTA. i

. TRACE OR TUG BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 614,877, dated November 29, 1898. Application filed November 28, 1896. Serial Ila 613,740. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHNSTON MEALEY, Of Howard Lake, lVright county, Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trace or' Tug Buckles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to harness, and particularly to trace-buckles adapted for connecting or splicing the short and long tugs or traces, and whereby the same are made adjustable as to their combined length.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and strong and neat device for ad- 3' us'tably joining the long and short tugs without stitching or riveting either part thereto, whereby the device is made to be readily attachable or removable from any tug and consid erable labor and material are saved in the construction of the harness, all with added lightness and strength.

The invention consists in a base or frame having a stud or lug to engage one of the tugs, in combination with a sliding cam or lever pivoted upon said box or frame and also having a stud to engage the other tug, which latter being drawn back will slide thelever and cause the rear end or cam portion thereof to engage the tug back of the pivot of the lever, whereby the lever is prevented from opening out, while the tugs retain their positions as when tension is upon them; and my invention consists, further, in certain constructions and combinations,all as hereinafter described,and

particularly pointed out in the claim.

The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and

' in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a trace or tug buckle embodying my invention, showing the short and long tugs therein. Fig. 2 is a side View of the. buckle with the strap removed.

As shown clearly in the drawings,the buckle comprises the box or frame and the lever pin, though it is preferably cast integrally with the sides and cross-bars. The bar 8 is usually wider than the others and carries the large stud or round lug 11 preferably integral therewith. The short tug is fastened over this stud 11, and the stud may incline in a direction opposite to the pull on the tug, so-

that the harder the pull the more firmly is the tug seated upon the bar 8 of the stud. The stud is of a length equal to the thickness of the tug.

12 represents the lever, which near its end is provided with the stud 13, which projects into the hole in the other tug. The stud 13 preferably inclines slightly forward, so that the tendency of the draft on the long tug 3 is to draw in the stud and lever. If the lever was secured by a simple pivot, it would drop out when the tension on the tugs was relieved. Hence I provide acam on the lever,which acts to lock the lever.

In order that the cam may perform its office and at the same time retain the ease of opening the buckle, I make a sliding connection on the pivot, so that on drawing the lever f0rward no greater thickness of metal is left between the tug and the pivot-pin 10 than when the lever is seated. This is done by slotting the ends 14. of the lever to permit a sliding movement of the lever. When the lever is drawn back, the ends 14 are projected back of the pivot 10, and bearing on the tug 3 firmly lock the lever down. For further security I prefer to incline the cam parts toward the leather to press firmly on the lug.

It is obvious that when the lever is drawn forward it may be opened out as though no cam existed. For neatness and lightness the lever is widened on the pivot and tapers from that point to the end carrying the stud l3. Loops 15 are provided on the top and bottom of the buckle to receive the upper and lower straps of the harness.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent A buckle, for adjustably joining the long and short tugs of a harness, comprising, in combination, a box or frame formed of parallel side bars and cross-bars connecting the upper and lower longitudinal edges of said side bars, said box or frame corresponding substantially in depth to the thickness of the long and short tugs, whereby sufficient space only is provided between the opposite cross-bars to permit the insertion into said box or frame of the ends of said tugs one above the other, a stationary stud provided upon one of said cross-bars adapted to'enter an opening in the short tug and of a length corresponding substantially to the thickness thereof, a pivoted cam-lever which engages its pintle by a slot that is inclined to the lever and arranged upon the opposite side of said box or frame from said stationary stud, and provided at its free end with a stud adapted to enter an opening in the long tug When said tug has been inserted into said frame, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 19th day of September, A. D. 1896.

I JOHNSTON MEALEY.

In presence of- RICHARD PAUL, O. G. HAWLEY. 

